Daily Current Affairs MCQ- August 14, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

Nasa's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO-A) spacecraft made its first Earth flyby nearly 17 years after its launch.

• The pair of STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) spacecraft were launched on October 25, 2006, from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
• The two spacecraft were situated in Sun's orbit, STEREO-A ("Ahead") and STEREO-B ("Behind").
• The dual-spacecraft mission accomplished its major goal by delivering the first-ever stereoscopic view of our star. 
• On February 6, 2011, another significant milestone was achieved as both STEREO-A and -B reached a remarkable 180-degree separation in their orbits, which gave us the full sphere image of the Sun.
• Significance of STEREO-A
• It will synthesize its views with those from Nasa's and the European Space Agency’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and Nasa’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
• Its distance from Earth changes throughout the flyby, it will optimize its stereo vision for different-sized solar features at different times, akin to adjusting the focus on a several million-mile-wide telescope.
• It will allow scientists to understand how a Coronal Mass Ejection's (CME) magnetic field evolves on its way to Earth.

Hence only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

President of India will launch Vindhyagiri frigate at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata, on August 17.

• It is named after a mountain range in Karnataka.
• It is the sixth ship of the Project 17A frigates.
• These warships are follow-ons of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
• Under the Project 17A programme, four ships by Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) are under construction.
• The project’s first five ships were launched by MDL and GRSE, between 2019-2022.
• These ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
• As much as 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including MSMEs.

Hence both statements are correct.

14 States and Union Territories which are yet to sign a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Education Ministry, which mandates the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) .

• In the light of the National Education Policy, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme has been launched as Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).
• It covers government and government-aided institutions of the States and UTs.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
• PM-USHA would be focusing on the following:
• Equity, Access, and Inclusion: The scheme focuses on equity initiatives and gender inclusion by providing adequate opportunities to underprivileged groups, and it promotes the inclusion of women, minorities, SCs/STs/OBCs, and specially-abled people in higher education, which will help to increase the GER
• Developing Quality Teaching & Learning processes: It would provide the facilities to the institution for upgrading the physical and digital infrastructure and also for the conversion of single-stream higher education institutions (HEIs) into multiple streams institutions
• Accreditation of Non-Accredited Institutions & Improving Accreditation: Accreditation pushes institutions to meet and maintain higher standards in education, in turn, increases trust and confidence in them among the public and boosts accountability
• ICT-based Digital Infrastructure: To ensure greater access to education, there is the significant importance of technology in bridging the language barrier between teachers and students, creating digital libraries, popularizing language learning as well as introducing the Open distance learning (ODL) programs.
• Enhancing Employability through Multidisciplinarity : Collaboration between industry and academia is key to catalyzing innovation and growth in career building. PM-USHA will encourage the HEIs to get linked with the Industry and the Market to strengthen skills, innovations, and employability

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, has recently reached the spaceport in Sriharikota.

About Aditya-L1 Mission:

• Aditya L1 is the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun.
• It will be launched by the PSLV-XL launch vehicle.
• The spacecraft shall be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. 
• A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses. 
• This will provide a greater advantage in observing solar activities and their effect on space weather in real-time.
• The spacecraft carries seven payloadsto observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors.
• Using the special vantage point L1, four payloads directly view the Sun and the remaining three payloads carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1, thus providing important scientific studies of the propagatory effect of solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium.
• The other objectives of Aditya L1 mission will be to understand the drivers for space weather (origin, composition and dynamics of solar wind), and identify the sequence of processes that occur at multiple layers (chromosphere, base and extended corona) which eventually leads to solar eruptive events.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) recently unveiled a pioneering initiative called CarbonLite Metro Travel to educate passengers about their significant contribution towards reducing carbon emissions by choosing metro trains.

About CarbonLite Metro Travel:

• It is a new initiative of the DMRC to help people understand their contribution to reducing CO2 emissions by opting for metro rail services.
• With this initiative, daily commuters will now be able to understand and learn about the average amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions they are decreasing with their simple step of selecting the metro as their means of transportation.
• The amount of CO2 will be calculated based on a comparison to road-based motor vehicles.
• It also aims to persuade commuters to choose an environmentally friendly method of transportation over motorised alternatives, thereby supporting a cleaner and more ecologically balanced environment.
• The initiative is in line with the Government of India’s Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE).
• Who can avail of this feature?
• People travelling with QR code-based tickets will be able to avail of this facility.
• Information about the decrease in CO2 emissions caused by metro travel will be prominently displayed on both mobile QR code tickets and physical tickets.
• Supported by comprehensive research conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Delhi, the initiative underscores that each kilometre travelled by metro train instead of road vehicles results in a noteworthy reduction of 32.38 gram of CO2 emissions.
• Leveraging this data and considering the passenger's average travel distance, the QR ticket will proudly announce, "Congratulations! You are saving around xxxx gm CO2," providing tangible evidence of the passenger's contribution to a greener future.
• The CO2 savings will be displayed and accumulated in the user’s DMRC mobile app for all journeysundertaken by the passenger, further enhancing his/her feel-good factor.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

China's northern region of Inner Mongolia recently reported two cases of bubonic plague. 

About Bubonic Plague:

• Plague is an infectious disease caused by a specific type of bacterium called Yersinia pestis.
• Y. pestis can affect humans and animals and is spread mainly by fleas. 
• Bubonic plague, also known as Black Death, is one type of plague. It gets its name from the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) caused by the disease. 
• The other types of plague are:
• Septicemic plague, which happens when the infection goes all through the body.
• Pneumonic plague, which happens when the lungs are infected.
• Symptoms: Bubonic plague symptoms include
• Sudden high fever and chills.
• Pains in the areas of the abdomen, arms and legs.
• Headaches.
• Large and swollen lumps in the lymph nodes (buboes) that develop and leak pus.
• Transmission:
• Y. pestis is spread mostly by fleas on rodents and other animals. 
• It is transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact with infected tissues, and inhalation of infected respiratory droplets.
• It’s an example of a diseasethat can spread between animals and people (azoonotic disease).
• Treatment:
• It can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
• Antibiotics that treat bubonic plague include Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, Gentamicin and Doxycycline.
• It can be fatal if it’s not treated.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

The water level of the Nandakini River recently crossed the danger mark in the Nandanagar area in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli due to incessant rainfall.

About Nandakini River:

• Nandakini is one of the five main tributaries of the Ganges River.
• Origin: Originating in the glaciers below Nanda Ghunti on the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, the river joins the Alaknanda at Nandprayag (870m), which is one of the panch prayagsor holy confluences on the Alaknanda.
• Course:
• It flows through the Chamoli district of Uttarakhandprimarily in the Garhwal region, covering a distance of approximately 105 kilometersbefore merging with the Alaknanda Riverat Nandprayag. 
• At this point, the combined waters of the Nandakini and Alaknanda form the Ganges River.
• It is surrounded by the majestic Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Kamet. 
• Cultural Significance:
• The river holds great significance in Hindu mythology and is considered sacred. It is believed to be the abode of Lord Vishnu.
• The region surrounding the river is dotted with ancient temples and shrines.
• The most famous temple along the Nandakini River is the Nandprayag Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• The temple is believed to have been built by Adi Shankaracharya, a renowned philosopher and saint.
• Tributaries: Several smaller streams and rivers join the Nandakini as it makes its way through the mountainous terrain. One of the notable tributaries is the Pindar River.
• The banks of the Nandakini River are rich with wildlife and biodiversity. The region is home to several protected areas, including the Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flowers National Park. 
• The Nanda Devi National Park,a UNESCO World HeritageSite, is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The park is known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes alpine meadows, high-altitude forests, and snow-capped peaks. 
• The Valley of Flowers National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its vibrant alpine flowers that bloom during the monsoon season. It is also home to several rare and endangered plant species.

Hence option c is the correct answer.

More than two centuries ago, over 200 Malaiyali tribes people built traditional clay huts on the flat peak of the picturesque Yelagiri hill in what is now northern Tamil Nadu.

• The Malaiyali tribes people were foragers who settled in the upper Nillavur region of Yelagiri and began cultivating its tabletop peak for food.
• Initially living in makeshift huts, they found a permanent solution in the red loam clay abundant in the hills and constructed simple one-room structures that measured 16 by 22 feet.
• These shelters are made of dry bamboo leaves; the thatched roof is waxed with cow dung to prevent it from leaking during the monsoon season.
• This covering tends to make the house appear deceivingly small from the outside, but it has enough space to house eight people and a paran (attic) that was used to store pots and other household items.
• The hut was meant for people to live in but eventually turned into a storage space for the seeds we collected before the sowing period began. 
• A unique feature of the munn veedu (mud house) or andara kotai (storage facility) is that it stands on a stilt-like structure also made of teak wood. 
• The Malaiyali tribe – malai meaning “hill” and yali meaning “people” – is strewn across Tamil Nadu’s hilly regions.
• The Malaiyalis have not any claim to be considered as an ancient hill tribe, but are Tamil speaking people who migrated from the plains to the hills in comparatively recent times, probably during the middle of eighteenth century.

Hence option a is the correct answer.

Recently, the National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone, has directed the Odisha government not to go ahead with ‘illegal’ construction in and around Tampara Lake.

• It is one of the largest fresh water lakes in the State of Odisha.
• The beautiful lake & the nearby Chilika Lagoon highlight the ecological diversity Odisha is blessed with.
• It supports at least 60 species of birds, 46 species of fishes, at least 48 species of phytoplanktons, and more than seven species of terrestrial plants and macrophytes. 
• It is an important habitat for vulnerable species such as Cyprinus carpio, common pochard (Aythya ferina), and river tern (Sterna aurantia).
• It is already placed in the Wetland Atlas prepared by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2010.

Hence option d is the correct answer.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified a reduction in the valuation of rent-free accommodation to staff provided by employers.

About Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT):

• It is a statutory authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
• The CBDT is a part of the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. 
• Functions:
• Its functions include formulation of policies, dealing with matters relating to levy and collection of direct taxes, and supervision of the functioning of the entire Income Tax Department. 
• CBDT also proposes legislative changes in direct tax enactmentsand changes in rates and structure of taxation in tune with the policies of the Government.
• Historical Background:
• The Central Board of Revenue, as the Department’s apex body charged with the administration of taxes, came into existence as a result of the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1924.
• Initially, the Board was in charge of both direct and indirect taxes.
• However, when the administration of taxes became too unwieldy for one Board to handle, the Board was split up into two, namely the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Excise and Customs, with effect from 1.1.1964
• This bifurcation was brought about by the constitution of the two Boards u/s 3 of the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963.
• Structure:
• The CBDT is headed by Chairman and also comprises of six members, all of whom are ex-officio Special Secretary to the Government of India.
• Member (Income Tax)
• Member (Legislation and Computerization)
• Member (Revenue)
• Member (Personnel & Vigilance)
• Member (Investigation)
• Member (Audit & Judicial)
• The Chairman is the co-ordinating head, and each of the members has been assigned a specialized function. 
• The Chairman and Members of CBDT are selected from Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

Hence only statement 2 is correct.